WYA Asia Pacific goes to Brunei Darussalam

WYA Asia Pacific Regional Director Lord Pomperada and Regional Interns Joyce Cedeno, Karla Made de Leon and Gimly Melendres visited Brunei Darussalam last July 18, 2014 as part of their Dignity Project. The highlights of the one-day trip include their visit at the Royal Regala Museum and the Water Village.

The Royal Regalia Museum features a collection of discarded relics and monuments to the current Sultan of Brunei, His Majesty Paduka Seri Baginda Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu‘izzaddin Waddaulah, Sultan dan Yang Di-Pertuan Negara Brunei Darussalam. During the visit, WYA Asia Pacific Regional Director and Interns discovered the different examples of gifts to the Sultan as well as replicas of His throne, various crowns, gowns and weapons.

“I have learned that Brunei values its Royal treasures fashionably. I was greatly fascinated by how the Sultan’s coronation ceremony was relived and immortalized in its curated pieces,” Karla shares.

Brunei’s Water Village, also known as Kampong Ayer, is habited by roughly ten percent of the country’s total population amounting to 39,000 people. Kampong Ayer is also the Largest Water Village in the world and features a village complete with shops, schools, restaurants, supermarkets, police station and a hospital, all built in stilts. The residents of the village also have electricity, air conditioning and water supply among others.

“It felt amazing to see the wonder of the Water Village in Brunei. I have learned how Brunei started from water villages that was immensely kept clean and developed by its residents. It made me realize how communities can achieve excellence by championing their culture and way of living. The water taxi ride was definitely worth riding for,” Karla shares.

“I like Brunei because is it’s not a place wherein everything is fast-paced. I like how the city is quiet, relaxing, but still fun to explore and if given the chance, I’d go back because I know that there’s still so much more to see. I also admire how welcoming and hospitable Bruneians are,” Joyce Cedeño shares.

“The most memorable part of the trip was walking around their streets and observing their way of life. I really admired the discipline of the Bruneians. If given the chance to go back, I will definitely return again to Brunei because I want to visit more places and be immersed in their culture,” Gimly Melendres shares.